Not all days are good, but most are.

Some days are a little gloomy, inside and outside. And with winter slowly seeing its way out, spring has never been more welcomed. Meanwhile, I’m learning to see the beauty in the gloom and keep my eyes on the horizon for better, brighter days.

A Little Training Goes a Long Way

Thanks to Rocky Mountain Dog Training, his trainer Melinda, and a lot of hard work, Stig finished his private lessons last week. We worked on loose-leash walking, impulse control (for when he sees other dogs, rabbits or squirrels), and some fun tricks too (notice the “easy” button in the photos).

Next up I’d like to get him certified as a Canine Good Citizen and eventually a Therapy Dog by his 3rd Birthday. So, here goes to more hard work!

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Man’s Best Friend, and More

It’s definitely true what they say. Somehow this four-legged guy has not only been a good companion, he’s given me a lot of strength lately…

Sometimes I think God gave me Stig as a reminder to be strong in times when I need it most. Because, with a tough past year, whenever I’m sad or lonely I’d look around and he’s right there…

beauty in simplicity

I can’t seem to help myself from taking photos constantly. And while often they are far from perfect and very simple, they still help me hold on to memories.

This morning I left for a jog and snapped this photo on my way to the trail. You can see the storm in the clouds but it was still a beautiful almost-spring morning.

Just before I got to my halfway point it started to snow, hard. With police monitoring the path, sleet, wind, and unprepared running attire, it definitely ended up being a very memorable, mentally challenging experience (that i’m glad is over).

I needed a little cheering up today so I took out the running leash, grabbed my furry-trainer and we headed out to the nearest “open-space.” They have these spaces throughout the Denver communities and they are simply divine (whomever made reserved open space a priority… thank you)!

It may not be the Pacific sunsets which I miss more than I can express, but today it was my solace. I made it out right before sunset and stopped halfway around to snap this picture to share.

Now I’m refreshed, the pup is tired, and I’m ready for my sweat pants and a little relaxing.

I’ve been working really hard to get into a good gym routine, and it’s been a challenge. There are many reasons why I’ve always been scared of them (people, germs, and the fact that I look ridiculous trying to do pullups). But! With the help of my Brother and Sister-in-Law Ruth, we’ve been making it happen.

My reward for baring the 2 degree temperature at 6am this morning (other than the $1.25 Mochaccino while exiting the rec center)?

Well Hello 2014 (and Friends),

Thank You For Showing Up

I can’t even tell you how excited I was to see the clock strike 12 on New Years. Why? Not because I was partying like it’s 1999 (more so I was watching a movie with Kobi, chowing on chinese and lounging in sweats, which was pretty much perfect…but I digress), because basically, 2013 sucked. And I wanted it to end, asap.

It was not my best year (a post for another time).

So, I found myself for the first time ever wanting Christmas to be over, so that New Years would pass and I could start fresh. (Why I needed a date on a calendar to start fresh? Good Q. But roll with me…).

I’m ready to make this year incredible and I’m pretty psyched about it. So, here I go. Here’s my no-pity-party-make-it-what-you-want reminders for the coming year. Feel free to join-in, add, remove, or ignore this list as you’d like.

Are you ready for it? Let’s go.

My Quotable-Resolutions to Kick A** and Take Names in 2014

1. Burn my candles, wear my nice sweaters, eat the chocolate and stop saving things for a special occasion. Today is special enough.
2. Choose happiness, every day. I’m done letting things keep me down.
3. Forgive. Truly-madly-deeply style.
4. Get rid of anything that isn’t joyful.
5. Stop getting in my own way (at work, in my relationships, at the gym and in my head).
6. Keep it in perspective, I have it good (as most of us do).
(My Fave) 7. Remember that today’s struggles are not permanent, the best is yet to come…

So no looking back anymore, just blessings and opportunities to make it an incredible year.